The Zamfara State Ministry of Health has commenced a three-day meeting to review and validate the draft 2026 Health Sector Annual Operational Plan (AOP), described by officials as the state’s “contract with the people.”
The meeting, held at Emerald Suites in Gusau, brought together state health leaders, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health, the SWAp Coordination Office, and development partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO). Participants are tasked with scrutinizing the proposed activities, targets, and budget for the coming year.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nafisa Muhammad Maradun, said the AOP represents a tangible commitment to citizens’ health needs.
“This AOP is more than a document,” she said. “It is our promise to the expectant mother seeking a safe delivery and to the child awaiting immunization. This plan must bridge the gap between our ambitious goals and the lived reality of our people.”
She urged participants to “stress-test every assumption and scrutinize every target,” ensuring that the plan is practical, precise, and capable of driving transformation.
Permanent Secretary, Malam Bashiru Surajo Gusau, described the gathering as a “strategic convergence of minds,” emphasizing the need to address Zamfara’s priority health concerns, from maternal and child health to infectious and non-communicable diseases.
The validation exercise seeks to align the AOP with state health policies, confirm the feasibility of budget allocations, identify implementation gaps, and establish a clear roadmap with monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for 2026.
WHO State Coordinator, Dr. Raji, represented by Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Dr. Musbau Adekunle Yahaya, reaffirmed partners’ commitment to supporting Zamfara’s health sector goals.
Declaring the session open, Dr. Maradun charged stakeholders to ensure their deliberations produce “rigorous, brilliant, and actionable outcomes.”
